Question & AnswerQ&A (OTS)
An Apartment-Hotel (Apartel) is any building containing several independent furnished or semi-furnished apartments regularly leased to tourists and travelers for dwelling on a long-term basis, offering basic hotel-like services to its tenants.
An Apartel must have at least twenty-five (25) lettable apartments to qualify for registration and licensing.
Each apartment must have living and dining areas, a kitchen, and a bedroom with an attached toilet and bath.
The minimum length of occupancy stated in the lease contract shall not be less than one-half (1/2) month.
Any person, natural or juridical, who operates or manages an apartel or tourist inn must secure a certificate of registration and a valid license to operate from the Department of Tourism before commencing operations.
Such persons may be subject to imprisonment of one (1) year to four (4) years or a fine of four thousand to twenty thousand pesos, or both, at the court's discretion. The license is also automatically revoked if previously issued.
Grounds include making false declarations, failure to comply with license conditions, failure to meet operational standards, serious injury or death of guests due to negligence, allowing illegal activities, and other violations of the relevant rules.
The license is valid for one (1) year or until the 30th of September of the year of issuance unless sooner revoked.
They are administratively liable for acts or omissions of employees against guests, unless they exercised due diligence similar to that of a good father of the family or the acts were due to force majeure.
The Registry Book must record the full name, address, and valid identification (residence certificate, driver's license, or passport) of all guests seeking accommodation.